This insightful book provides a comprehensive survey of urban development in Hong Kong since 1841. Pui-yin Ho explores the ways in which the social, economic and political environments of different eras have influenced the city's development. From colonial governance, wartime experiences, high density development and adjustments before and after 1997 through contemporary challenges, this book explores forward-looking ideas that urban planning can offer to lead the city in the future. Evaluating the relationship between town planning and social change, this book looks at how a local Hong Kong identity emerged in the face of conflict and compromise between Chinese and European cultures. In doing so, it brings a fresh perspective to urban research, providing historical context and direction for the future development of the city. Hong Kong's urban development experience offers not only a model for other Chinese cities but also a better understanding of Asian cities more broadly. Urban studies scholars will find this an exemplary case study of a developing urban landscape. Town planners and architects will also benefit from reading this comprehensive book as it shows how Hong Kong can be taken to the next stage of urban development and modernisation.

This book is the first systematic attempt to introduce the current practice and statistics of town planning in Hong Kong. Part I gives an analytical account of the practical and ideological context, discusses design principles and describes procedures of town planning with particular reference to change in use. The emphasis is on skills of plan interpretation and an appreciation of the intellectual disposition of planners and various objective constraints confronting them. Part II is the first of its kind in presenting and analysing the statistics of planning applications for 11 zones from 1978 to 1998. The success rates of planning applications as well as the main reasons used by the Town Planning Board for rejecting planning applications are elucidated.

As Hong Kong town-planning legislation develops, there is an ever-growing demand for a better understanding of the rules and principles behind the discretionary decisions of the Town Planning Board regarding planning applications. Town Planning in Hong Kong: A Review of Planning Appeals is a thorough analysis of 50 unreported cases of the Town Planning Appeal Board on appeals against the Town Planning Board decisions concerning planning applications and review. This book goes beyond the usual requirements of books on 'case and materials': it systematically documents the facts and arguments presented in the decisions, distills the reasons and rules behind them, and comments on each in detail. It also provides a comparative study of all the cases from the perspective of town planning and economics. This book will be of great value to developers, planners, lawyers and professionals who work in the development and conservation of lands in Hong Kong.

This book addresses one of Hong Kong's most sensitive issues: land-use planning d its effects on land supply and the housing market. The present planning system and the conflicts between various planning ordinances are criticized. The book proposes several ways to minimizing the transaction costs of development and environmental improvement.

Pui-yin Ho surveys how the social, economic and political environments of different eras have influenced the evolution of urban planning in Hong Kong. Evaluating the relationship between town planning and social change over time, this book explores how a local Hong Kong identity has emerged through its urban development. In doing so it brings a fresh perspective to urban research and provides historical context and direction for the future development of the city.